Home › Oakland University › Political Science and Government

Political Science and Government at Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,080/yr (-21% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 9.2x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #429 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$545K	$539K	$497K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.3x	9.2x	8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.9x	5.8x	5.4x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	37	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$58,776

Out-of-state: $92,752 (5.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$54,336

8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,252

76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Oakland University's Political Science and Government graduates start at $29,080/yr, trailing the $36,684 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

A 9.2x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $21,500 against $29,080/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #429 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places Oakland University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $29,080-to-$51,252 earnings arc over five years reflects a 76% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Oakland University

A 70% acceptance rate means Oakland University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 12,450 in Rochester Hills, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Oakland University →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Other Majors at Oakland University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at Oakland University?

At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at Oakland University?

The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Oakland University a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Oakland University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →